IRREPLACEABLE YOU: A Forgettable Moment Of Catharsis

“The trouble is, you think you have the time” – Buddha

This one sentence could not be more inspirational, or true. When we find something deep and meaningful, we never want to let it go, thinking the time we will have is never ceasing. Until it is.

When time is running out, there is no more control on your life, or the lives of others. You have only the constant metronome keeping the beat to the inevitable end. There is nothing you can do but drown in an overwhelming flood of emotions or enjoy the remaining time you have left as you prepare for the ultimate closure. This is the focus of Netflix’s latest film Irreplaceable You from director Stephanie Laing.

Irreplaceable You

Not everyone accepts the knowledge of knowing they are going to die the same way. Some may never move on, stuck in a stage of grief, while others have reached the acceptance of their life, maintaining a solemn understanding of the freedom their knowledge and limitation gives them. Still, others struggle against the control they have lost on their life and others, fighting during their last moments to meticulously and obsessively plan for when they will no longer be around.

True soulmates, destiny, until death do we part – words and phrases typically associated with the ultimate love story. Two people destined to be together for all eternity, overcoming any obstacle that is thrown their way. For Abbie (Gugu Mbatha-Raw) and Sam (Michiel Huisman), their love story, built since childhood, does not conform to this formula. Engaged to be married, with thoughts of a family and a life time together on the mind, Abbie’s world implodes in front of her as she is given a diagnosis of terminal cancer.

Facing the end of her life and the end of a love story, Abbie is faced with the realization that Sam is also facing a final moment in his life – the end of a forever they were suppose to have. Realizing everything Sam will now have to face on his own, her sadness turns to fear as the image of Sam grieving and alone permanently becomes ingrained in her mind.

From this moment on, Abbie is determined to find Sam the perfect replacement – a new Abbie. Someone who can find his glasses when he has lost them, cook chicken and do his laundry. Yet, as Abbie struggles to control the outcome of Sam’s life after she is gone, she finds that her final moments may not always be what she planned.

The Making of an End

I had originally chosen to watch Irreplaceable You after seeing Christopher Walken in the film’s trailer. In the brief moments he was shown, there seemed to be a different air in the role he had chosen to play – this did not seem to be a film he would typically go for. I was surprised to see how reserved and, mostly, un-“Christopher Walken” he was, instead a sensitive and pensive soul who’s calm demeanor gave way to an awe-inspiring look at the final moments before death. Honestly, I only fell more in love with him as an actor.

Walken‘s performance was not the only one that resounded after the film had ended. Gugu Mbatha-Raw committed to her character’s neuroses and mission, bringing Abbie to a painfully realistic representation of stage of self-grieving. Her performance lent audiences to want to understand what the main character was trying to do, as well as support it, yet her performance will continue deeper, breaking your heart as you see time slipping through her fingers – time she will never get back.

Steve Coogan and Kate McKinnon shine in group therapy, Coogan struggling to keep the group moving forward and McKinnon‘s eccentric coping mechanisms picking up the solemn beat of the film. Through their performances, Irreplaceable You is not only given a brief reprieve from the heavy heart of the film, but also a contrast to other characters coping with cancer and loved ones of the disease.

Lighting from cinematographer Magdalena Górka was exquisite. Throughout the entire film, it was peaceful and serene, no harsh colors to mimic the harsh reality of cancer and death. Soft lighting was used through out the entire film, only towards the end, color seeping out, yet still maintaining a light touch. This was what stood out the most to me while watching, and was one of the most peaceful elements of such a heavy story.

Yet, where films have there upsides, there are also the downsides to contend with. From the very start of Irreplaceable You, some decisions were instantly in question. In particular, the voice over conversation between Sam and Abbie. It was awkward and out of place, especially since viewers were not introduced to the two characters yet. From here soundtrack and score volleyed with one another, cohesive in their transitions and placement, yet the soundtrack bringing a more television episode (Grey’s Anatomy, Vampire Diaries) feel to it than a film.

The pace of Irreplaceable You was sometimes slow, the lagging in the film breaking the connection viewers had with the characters – sometimes for only an instant, others almost to long. I found myself at times drifting away from the film, an extra effort needed to stay focused. There was so much focus on Abbie’s obsession with finding Sam a new partner that the plot runs its course long before the end. Even when reaching the end, a moment of catharsis the film has built up to is lacking, unable to imprint in the minds of viewers.

The Right Way

Irreplaceable You questions what is the right way to spend your final moments. While there is a tragic love story that plays out on screen, this is the real take away from the film. It does not necessarily tell you how your final moments should be spent, instead shows you the many ways individuals cope when they know the end is coming from them, as well as the reactions and the support given from those around them.

Some find freedom in knowing they can do whatever they want without a care for consequence. Others are unable to find the strength or purpose to move beyond the depression of knowing the grim reaper has begun his final leg. Still others fight, keeping themselves occupied in preparations for the end and for others.

So is there a right way to die? And do others have the right to tell you how your final moments should be spent? After watching this film, I would say no and no. When death is coming, we will each deal with it differently. Coping with death is not something that can be categorized and catalogued, an acceptable and predictable behavior to be expected. When death is coming for you, only you can experience the finality and cope with void you will leave behind.

Conclusion

Even though you know how the story is going to end, it does not save you from the catharsis and emotion of the finality of it all. Yet, the catharsis is short lived as the connection with characters has been broken through a slowly paced film that struggles at times to keep its audience.

Yet, with strong performances, the film is elevated enough to get its message across – that we may think we have enough time, but in our final moments time may be the last thing on our minds.

Have you seen Irreplaceable You? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below!

Irreplaceable You is currently streaming on Netflix.